Description of Snowshoeing holiday in Finland

This snowshoeing holiday in Finland takes you into the remote wilderness of the Kainuu region, travelling in a small group, maximum thirteen people, with an expert local guide. With five full days of snowshoeing, we will travel through snow blanketed spruce and pine forests, over frozen lakes and along remote ridges with panoramic views. This really is a winter holiday Finnish style, staying in toasty warm wilderness cabins, following in the tracks of wolverine and wolves that still inhabit this wild taiga terrain close to the Russian border, having picnic lunches around a bonfire and watching dramatic nighttime skies turn into an explosion of stars.

Beginners are welcome, but a reasonable level of fitness is required as we will be snowshoeing for approximately six hours every day, with a few short ascents and descents. The best time to go snowshoeing in Finland is between mid January and the beginning of March, when the snow is soft and the landscape is beautifully bedecked.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.

Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, travelling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. If you’re heading off on a gap year your, perhaps – but for those with a two-week holiday, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.

The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travellers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.

We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.

What are the main benefits?

Big experiences
Have big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.

Simplicity
Make the most of your holiday time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!

Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.

Who is it ideal for?

Travellers who are short of time
If you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your holiday.

Solo travellers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those travelling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.

Less confident travellers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.

Mythbuster

“I won’t get any privacy!”
Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travellers their own room.

“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.

“The accommodation will be basic”Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.

“I won’t like the other travellers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.

“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.

Meet a group leader

As well as taking care of all the day-to-day practicalities, your group leader is the one who will turn your trip into an adventure. Leaders are extraordinary characters – the kind of person who has spent 14 Christmas days on the slopes of Mount Everest, runs marathons wearing tiger suits to raise funds for their conservation and thinks nothing of leading an overland trip in Sudan or Afghanistan. Fearless and inspiring, group leaders are as important as the destination itself.

Meet a local guide

No matter how experienced your group leader, they can never make up for the knowledge gained from a lifetime in the destination. That’s why many of our trips work with local guides around the world – who invite you into their homeland with pleasure. As well as doing crazy things like climbing Kilimanjaro 100 times, they also donate their time to local projects supported by travellers – such as rebuilding Sri Lankan villages following the 2004 tsunami.

Responsible tourism

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

When we started this business back in 2000 our aim was to run tours where no motors would take part. Now the company is a little bit bigger but the same standards are still valid. Our group sizes are small (max. 13 persons) and we believe that being in a small group causes less harm for the environment – and it is also good for the traveller.

The wilderness huts on the tour are wood heated, Finland is full of wood and it is the traditional way to warm up the houses. The car transfers are short on this tour, the travellers will mostly use their own legs.

A well-balanced connection with nature is the foundation of all our operations. Thus considering the environment constitutes an essential part of our business philosophy and is also of utmost importance to the success of the whole operation. The basic business idea of our company is to offer the tourist a range of products which are in concordance with Finnish nature. The products are specially designed to fuse into a harmonious whole with nature, special attention being paid to the immediate environment in which the activities take place.

We encourage our clients to show consideration for the environment: the visitors are offered a chance to take part in activities contributing to sustainable development. The adequacy of environmental activities is regularly assessed by means of collecting customer feedback and studying key parameters.

The Impacts of this Trip

By bringing visitors and organizing this tour we are bringing more welfare for the local people. The accommodation owners, cooks, reindeer farmers, local taxi drivers are benefiting from our tours. The food is local for as much as possible, fish, reindeer meat, elk and berries. We plan our tours in cooperation with the local people.

The land is maintained by the Forest and Park Service of Finland and we pay funds for them which they use for maintaining the area and the fireplaces, open huts and other services in the area which local people are using also.

Our company does not own any hotel, restaurant or buses for transportation. We buy all these services from the local operators. Also the guides of our tours are locals for as much as possible. So the money which we get from the clients goes for 70% for the local companies in the area and the guides.

In our purchases, we are committed to preferring durable, locally produced, high-quality products. Disposable products are avoided as far as possible. Ecologically sound products are acquired whenever possible. When selecting co-operation partners, preference is given to those having an environmental policy. In addition, subcontractors are informed of the firm's purchases policy.

Environment

When we started this business back in 2000 our aim was to run tours where no motors would take part. Now the company is a little bit bigger but the same standards are still valid. Our group sizes are small (max. 13 persons) and we believe that being in a small group causes less harm for the environment – and it is also good for the traveller.

The wilderness huts on the tour are wood heated, Finland is full of wood and it is the traditional way to warm up the houses. The car transfers are short on this tour, the travellers will mostly use their own legs.

A well-balanced connection with nature is the foundation of all our operations. Thus considering the environment constitutes an essential part of our business philosophy and is also of utmost importance to the success of the whole operation. The basic business idea of our company is to offer the tourist a range of products which are in concordance with Finnish nature. The products are specially designed to fuse into a harmonious whole with nature, special attention being paid to the immediate environment in which the activities take place.

We encourage our clients to show consideration for the environment: the visitors are offered a chance to take part in activities contributing to sustainable development. The adequacy of environmental activities is regularly assessed by means of collecting customer feedback and studying key parameters.

Community

The Impacts of this Trip

By bringing visitors and organizing this tour we are bringing more welfare for the local people. The accommodation owners, cooks, reindeer farmers, local taxi drivers are benefiting from our tours. The food is local for as much as possible, fish, reindeer meat, elk and berries. We plan our tours in cooperation with the local people.

The land is maintained by the Forest and Park Service of Finland and we pay funds for them which they use for maintaining the area and the fireplaces, open huts and other services in the area which local people are using also.

Our company does not own any hotel, restaurant or buses for transportation. We buy all these services from the local operators. Also the guides of our tours are locals for as much as possible. So the money which we get from the clients goes for 70% for the local companies in the area and the guides.

In our purchases, we are committed to preferring durable, locally produced, high-quality products. Disposable products are avoided as far as possible. Ecologically sound products are acquired whenever possible. When selecting co-operation partners, preference is given to those having an environmental policy. In addition, subcontractors are informed of the firm's purchases policy.

Climate

11 Reviews of Snowshoeing holiday in Finland

4.5 out of 5 stars

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Reviewed on 11 Mar 2020 by Gabriela Galescu

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The snowshoeing experience was wonderful, in a most beautiful and serene landscape. However, the whole trip would not have been as memorable as it was without the amazing service and companionship provided by our tour guides Pavel and Ruben.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Make sure you bring small snacks/treats to share with your group. If you have never snowshoed/hiked in snow boots be prepared for a new and not entierly pleasant experience (at the beginning). It is like snowshoeing/hiking in well insulated rubber boots, because ... that is what snow boots are. :-)

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I truly hope so, but I don't really know. I had a problem with the amount of plastic bags we used for pretty much everything. Maybe the operator can come up with some reusable bags at least for packing the two day wilderness necessities? Or suggest that guests bring their own reusable bags for that?

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Wonderful!

Read the operator's response here:

Thank you for your feedback Gabriela. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and your tour guides! Regarding your comment about plastic bags unfortunately it looks like we hadn't informed our new guides sufficiently about all the practices. We normally offer canvas bags to be used during the wilderness tour unless a client has an own bag/rucksack. Picnic sandwiches are packed in paper bags. Generally we do avoid plastic, disposable cups etc and excess packaging materials throughout our operations as per our sustainability policy which is available on our website. Naturally things can always be improved, especially we should communicate things better with our suppliers and obviously with new guides as well.

Reviewed on 02 Feb 2020 by Frances McDonald

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It's difficult to isolate a single highlight. I really liked the short up- and downhill sections in the powdery snow (which was surprising dry) and having the chance to 'break ground' by leading the group for a short period, making fresh tracks in the snow. I also enjoyed seeing various animal tracks as we walked. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and I learned a lot about Finnish culture and the environment. Perhaps most memorable was the temperature on the first day - minus 30 degrees C! We had a great group and I really enjoyed the company of the others, and there was alway someone to help with stiff snowshoe buckles or to pull you out of a snowdrift if you overbalanced and toppled over (no harm done).

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Make sure you have enough warm clothes and bring everything on the gear list.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I suppose if we bought local products or handicrafts at the Visitor Centre or Reindeer Farm this was beneficial to local people. Certainly there was no harm to the environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It was extremely well organized and a lot of fun once the temperature rose a bit even minus 15 degrees C felt warm after the first day. Overall a very enjoyable trip.

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2018 by Sue Louise

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Amazing landscapes, frozen trees and lakes, lovely people on the trip and a great guide.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Do not underestimate the cold - bring warm, light layers. Mittens are essential although you can borrow them. Bring a small gift for the guide.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes (except for the 4 flights to get there and back!), especially when we visited the reindeer herders and a restaurant in a very remote part.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent, 10/10

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2018 by Peter Lambley

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The wilderness experience snowshoeing through a lovely mix of forest, lake and climbing up and down steep ridges. The saunas are an experience, though ice dipping in the lakes sounds awful it is not really that bad! The two nights in the wilderness huts were very enjoyable but be prepared to help.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Most travellers on this trip were German speaking, so some knowledge of German or a phrase book would be useful. The guide speaks good English. You also need to be reasonably fit but I am 71 and managed fine.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

It certainly leaves a low environmental footprint. and the whole ethos is a love of Finland, its land and people.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent

Read the operator's response here:

Dear Peter, Thank you for your feedback and it's good to hear you enjoyed the tour. I'd just like to comment about the nationalities that it varies a lot, each group is different. Sometimes German speakers are the majority, sometimes English speakers. In some groups there are even 7-8 different nationalities and a real mixture of spoken languages. Hope to see you in Finland again!

Reviewed on 05 Mar 2017 by Pauline Warrenaar

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Going out into the wild and quiet nature in the cold everyday, walking through snow, forests and over frozen lakes was really exciting. The week was filled with new experiences, having a chance to see the Northern Light, going on expedition and walking from cabin to cabin, enjoying the Finnish sauna and cooling down in an ice-hole in the lake.

Sharing this with a group of great people from different countries. We learned many interesting, practical and funny facts about Finland, its nature and the Finnish way of living from the guide.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Make sure you are dressed well for the cold weather, and for a bit less cold weather (bring layers).

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, the visit to the reindeer farm seemed to directly support local people and initiatives, and was interesting at the same time.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It was a great experience, I learned I can be strong in 'tough' conditions. ;-) (at the same time we were very well taken care of by the guide and our tour operator; things were never too hard).

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2017 by Heike Grimm

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

1) Finland's nature2) Our tour guide who was the best ambassador for his country anyone could have possibly wished for, very approachable and super organised3) our group who was fantastic, we laughed and joked all day and had an amazing time

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Bring a small gift from your country ->It was such a sweet gesture to receive a jar of home made Finish berry jam at the end presented by the company

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I think so, yes. We bought souvenirs at the reindeer farm and other places and did not impact much on the environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

12 out of 10, honest, it was that good

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2016 by Dani Rotzetter

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The entire week was an amazing experience, but I particularly liked the overnight stay in remote huts without electricity etc. Furthermore, seeing the Northern Lights was like a dream coming true

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Even though the walks are not really very long and you may expect a more challenging week, you will be tired in the evening. So the amount of walks seems pretty right to me. Furthermore, do not expect sunshine all the time. We were very happy to have a day of sunlight in the one week holidays. But it may as well be that it is cloudy weather all the time. However, even if the forecasts is very bad, you still may suddenly have a sunny morning or star night "coming out of nothing", so never give up hope!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes. We learned how to feel and respect the nature; our impact was very low as we took care of the environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent. I was really looking forward to this holiday, but my expectations were even exceeded.

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2016 by Richard Wisentaner

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It is hard to point to one specific item. The overall experience was memorable; the scenery, the activity, the guide, the other participants and the 'rough' living.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Pay attention to the suggested list of clothing; it is cold and clothing will get wet. Bring a bottle for both hot liquid and another for cold liquid. Croos-country ski pants better than down-hill pants.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes to all. The locals in this isolated area received compensation during this low season for them. We respected the environment and came a way with a better sense of importance to preserve that environment,

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Great!!! One of my best.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2016 by Dilys Harlow

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The entire holiday was memorable & magical.Our guide, Jarno, was superb in every way, including cooking up the best soups over the lunch time fires. He was expert at interpreting animal & bird tracks in the snow & helped us understand the environment & the way of life in that part of Finland, now & in the past.The snowshoeing was great & the landscape of forests & lakes just beautiful.The main accommodation was excellent, the wilderness cabins good fun & all the food good. One night we stood out on a frozen lake & watched the northern lights flickering over the forest - unforgettable. Last but not least, the saunas were the perfect way to pass an hour or two.